Africa-Press – Lesotho. complement the efforts of the Government of Lesotho (GoL) in encouraging behavioral change for responsible production and consumption patterns – Sustainable
Development Goal (SDG) 12 – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture launched a
project dubbed Strengthening Partnerships in Sustainable Plastic Life-Cycle Management in Maseru on Friday. This launch also marked the World Environment Day which is commemorated annually on June 5th.
It started with a fun walk from Makoanyane Square to Pitso Ground where participants marched under the theme “Restoring the ecosystem through proper plastic waste management”.
Speaking at the event, UNDP Resident Representative Betty Wabunoha disclosed that by launching this campaign, UNDP aims at building partnerships with stakeholders as it has
history of supporting governments in waste management issues. Wabunoha also indicated that plastic has become a thread to the marine, animals and the environment at large hence this project is aimed at sensitizing people on how
plastic can be refused, reduced, reused, recycled and repurposed. She further thanked the youth, the elders and the government for taking part. The former Minister
of Tourism, Environment and Culture Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane thanked the UNDP for initiating this project which will among others help in creating jobs for
those who will be involved in plastic recycling. Advocate Rakuoane said the ministry will initiate this project in other districts including Berea, Leribe,
Mafeteng, Maputsoe and Butha-Buthe. There is also going to be a competition whereby the cleanest town will win. Exhibitions of plastic products will also be held.
The former Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship, Hon. Tsoinyane Rapapa reminded the gathered crowd of the importance of cleanliness. He held that plastic kills
cows and other animals. Rapapa further urged for implementation from civil servants. The Plastic Waste Management Project is going to explore the applicability of existing
plastic waste management models such as collection facilities for plastic sorting and recycling for livelihood creation. A broad range of partners are involved in this plastic project so as to agree on a menu of
possible solutions including refusing and reducing of single use plastic in commercial, corporate spaces and enabling the re-use, repurposing and recycling of plastic waste.
